This week in Hamilton politics: What you need to know

City growth, urban trees and a multimillion--dollar international games bid are on the agenda for Hamilton politics watchers this week.

Thespec.com
June 4, 2019
Matthew Van Dongen

Urban boundary surprise

The province has thrown a planning curveball at Hamilton that would allow individual developers to apply for urban boundary expansions at any time.

Right now, expanding development outside Hamilton's urban boundaries is difficult by design (we're supposed to be growing up, not out.) It's study--heavy, council--driven and can only happen at certain times.

The city is in the middle of a series of studies needed to apply for a contentious expansion of urban boundaries into the Elfrida area of Stoney Creek (although environmentalists seeking to preserve farmland and area residents uneasy about congestion are less keen).

But new legislation proposed by the provincial Progressive Conservative government in omnibus Bill 108 would allow individual developers to apply for urban boundary changes under 40 hectares at any old time.

The city would have to study each application and council can say no. But if the studies are not done quickly, developers could appeal to provincial tribunals for a decision instead.

Want to hear the latest? An update is coming to councillors on Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. at city hall.

Trees in the city

Diesel from Nanticoke refinery spills into creek...
The city wants to hear from you on its long--planned Urban Forest strategy.

Hamilton has been working on a strategy to monitor, protect and -- hopefully -- grow its forest footprint within urban city limits.

Despite annual tree--planting efforts, Hamilton's leafy canopy may actually be shrinking from a combination of killer bugs like the emerald ash borer, severe storms and the occasional development--linked clear cut.

Beefing up that canopy will cost money, of course, while regulating trees on private property is never easy.

Want to have your say ahead of council's next decision? There is a public meeting on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at the Westmount Recreation Centre, 35 Lynbrook Dr.

Let the Games begin

Should Hamilton make a pitch for the 2030 Commonwealth Games?

City staff are recommending signing a memorandum of agreement with a private Games booster group to iron out the details of a local bid in advance of a November deadline to pursue or abandon the idea.

Hamilton is fresh off Canadian Football League approval of the 2021 Grey Cup at Tim Hortons Field -- but that will likely only cost the city $1.7 million or so.

An international games event hosting 6,000 athletes would cost closer to $1 billion, with a likely local contribution of $150 million.

The city seems to be the sentimental favourite for a Canadian bid, though, given that Hamilton was the 1930 birthplace of the precursor British Empire Games.

Want to hear what your elected representatives think? The latest update is coming to a meeting on Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. at city hall.